Case Background
Mr. Navarro’s diabetes, lipid, hypertension, depression, COPD peripheral neuropathy management, and smoking cessation are the focus areas in this case study.
Diabetes Management
Controlling Mr. Navarro’s blood sugar levels is crucial as he has type II diabetes. Diet, physical activity, and medicine are all viable options for achieving this. He has to eat more fiber and fewer sweets to maintain his health. Exercise is also recommended because it can help reduce blood sugar levels. He also needs to adhere to his insulin regimen strictly.
Lipid Management
Mr. Navarro has hyperlipidemia and needs to pay attention to his cholesterol levels. To improve his health, he needs to eat less saturated and trans fats and avoid processed and cholesterol-rich foods. He should also take his cholesterol-lowering medicine as directed.
Hypertension Management
Management of Mr. Navarro’s hypertension is crucial because of his hypertension. He needs to eat less salt to improve his health. He should also avoid processed foods, which are heavy in saturated and trans fats. He also needs to take his hypertension medicine regularly.
Depression Management
Mr. Navarro needs help with his depression if he ever hopes to feel normal again. He should prioritize eating well and exercising regularly because doing so positively affects one’s mental health. Mr. Navarro should also take his antidepressants regularly.
Smoking Cessation
Mr. Navarro, who smokes a pack daily, recognizes the need to quit. Mr. Navarro’s health would benefit significantly from his giving up smoking. Those who want to quit tobacco can access various tools, including counseling, support groups, and medication. He should consult his physician regarding the best options for him to pursue.
COPD Management
Mr. Navarro requires careful COPD management due to his diagnosis. Mr. Navarro should aim to quit smoking to halt his worsening COPD. Also, he needs to take his COPD medication as directed. Irritants in the air, such as dust, fumes, and chemicals, should also be avoided to protect his health.
Peripheral Neuropathy Management
Mr. Navarro needs careful attention to his peripheral neuropathy because of his diabetes. He suffers from peripheral neuropathy, and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels can reduce the symptoms. For the pain and numbness, he should take his medicine as directed.
Medication Treatment Options
The best drug regimen to begin for this patient would be an ACE inhibitor (ACEI) or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) for hypertension, an antidepressant for depression, an Albuterol Aerosol inhaler for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and daily aspirin. Below are some of the reasons for the medication.
Albuterol Aerosol Inhaler
Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator used to treat and prevent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and tightness. An albuterol inhaler is used to administer the medication by inhalation. The standard dose of albuterol inhalation is two puffs every four to six hours (Fu et al., 2022). An albuterol aerosol inhaler may contain between sixty and two hundred breaths, depending on size. Each inhaler containing aerosol albuterol is effective for 200 inhalations. The relaxation of the smooth muscles in the airways helps reduce asthma attacks. Standard administration requires a dose-metered inhaler (ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA).
Aspirin
Aspirin is an antiplatelet medicine indicated for all people with CAD because it can assist in avoiding clotting and improving blood flow. It helps to prevent excessive bleeding and blocks the synthesis of thromboxane, a factor in platelet aggregation and clotting (Fu et al., 2022). Myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) and ischemic strokes are preventable complications of CAD, making aspirin a standard treatment for all patients diagnosed with CAD. Aspirin 75-162 mg daily is suggested for CAD patients.
Statin
Statins can benefit the LDL cholesterol and lipid profiles of patients with coronary artery disease and hyperlipidemia. Statin intake lowers Cholesterol synthesis in the liver. Patients with CAD or hyperlipidemia are often prescribed statins due to their efficacy in reducing LDL cholesterol and improving lipid profiles (Fu et al., 2022). A statin dose of 10–80 milligrams per day is advised when treating coronary heart disease.
ACE inhibitor or ARB
The blood pressure-lowering and circulation-improving effects of an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor make them a top treatment choice for individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) or hypertension. Vasoconstrictive and fluid-retaining angiotensin II is blocked in the body by ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (Fu et al., 2022). Patients with CAD or hypertension are often prescribed ACE inhibitors or ARBs because they reduce blood pressure and increase blood flow. While treating coronary artery disease, a daily ACE inhibitor dosage of 10-40 milligrams is advised. A daily dosage of 10-40 milligrams (mg) of an ARB is suggested for treating CAD.
Antidepressant
Antidepressants are often prescribed to patients with depression to boost their mood and vitality. Antidepressants raise the brain’s supply of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine to alleviate depression (Fu et al., 2022). Depression patients should take 10–40 milligrams (mg) of an antidepressant daily.
Potential Side Effects
Albuterol may cause various unwanted symptoms, such as uncontrollable tremors, nervousness, headache, nausea, vomiting, cough, throat irritation, and muscle, bone, or back pain. Statins may have neurological side effects, which are memory loss and fatigue, increased blood sugar, liver damage, and muscle pain and damage. ACE inhibitor’s side effects may include dry cough, elevated blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia), weariness, dizziness from low blood pressure, headaches, and loss of taste (Fu et al., 2022).
Aspirin may have some side effects: upset stomach, heartburn, drowsiness, mild headache, ringing in your ears, confusion, hallucinations, rapid breathing, and seizures (convulsions). Aspirin may cause severe nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal discomfort, bloody or tarry stools, bloody or coffee-ground-looking vomit, coughing up blood, a fever that lasts longer than three days, swelling, or pain lasting longer than ten days.
Antidepressants, namely Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, may cause the following side effects: feeling agitated, shaky, or anxious, feeling and being nauseous, indigestion and stomach aches, diarrhea or loss of appetite, dizziness, difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or feeling exhausted, and loss of libido.
Patient Education
Patient education would include, but not be limited to, reminders to follow prescriptions as directed, monitor his blood sugar levels, and schedule regular appointments with his primary care physician and cardiologist. I will inform Mr. Navarro of the possible adverse reactions to the drugs and how to deal with them if they arise.
A canister of albuterol aerosol is required to use the inhaler that comes with the medication. Albuterol should not be combined with any other inhalant or used with any other inhaler. When utilizing albuterol inhalation, he should avoid eye contact should be avoided at all costs. Please avoid using your albuterol inhaler around an open flame or other heat sources, as it may explode.
Patient Education Consideration Factors
Culture
A patient’s cultural background may affect how well they comprehend and follow their pharmaceutical instructions. Chronically ill individuals have a greater need for health services, increasing their involvement with the healthcare system (Fu et al., 2022). What if physicians, organizations, and processes do not collaborate to provide culturally appropriate care? In that case, patients are more likely to have adverse health outcomes, receive substandard care, or be dissatisfied with their care.
In educating Mr. Navarro, I will evaluate his religious background and prior therapeutic experiences. I will provide an environment conducive to developing a harmonious connection characterized by a warm and loving approach, a relationship of trust with the patient, and a strong sense of identification and attachment to him.
Language
Moreover, a language barrier may hinder a patient’s ability to comprehend and follow their treatment plan. As Mr. Navarro can understand Spanish better, I shall speak to him in that language. Mr. Navarro will receive the medication description in Spanish from me. It is essential to offer Mr. Navarro instruction in his home tongue of Spanish to avoid a language barrier.
Health Literacy
In addition, a patient’s comprehension and adherence to their prescription regimen may be impacted by their level of health literacy. Mr. Navarro needs to gain more knowledge on drugs and their treatment. Considering his literacy level, I will explain the importance of completing dosage and strict adherence to the drug description. Health literacy will improve his knowledge and reduce the risk associated with the wrong intake of drugs. It is crucial to present Mr. Navarro with information in a manner that he can grasp since his health literacy may be below average.
Socioeconomic Factors
Their socioeconomic status may also influence a patient’s ability to comprehend and follow their prescribed pharmaceutical regimen. Considering Mr. Navarro’s income, he can pay for prescriptions and clinics, but his age may make settling medication expenses difficult if the sickness persists. Mr. Navarro should have reasonable and thoughtful access to high-quality educational opportunities that are not financially prohibitive.
In conclusion, when educating patients about the risks associated with pharmaceutical use, it is crucial to consider their culture, language, health literacy, and socioeconomic status.
Reference
Fu, Y., Chapman, E. J., Boland, A. C., & Bennett, M. I. (2022). Evidence-based management approaches for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A practice review. Palliative Medicine, 36(5), 770-782. Web.